The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has lamented that many Nigerian homes cannot afford to celebrate Christmas due to the prevailing economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Abure made this statement in a Christmas message to Nigerians on Wednesday in Abuja through the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
He charged Nigerians to take the Christmas celebration as a season to love, serve and forgive one another.
The LP national chair urged Nigerians to always show compassion to millions of other citizens living below poverty level.
According to him, Jesus Christ, who was born in a lowly manger, lived his entire life working to put smiles in the face of the less privilege, the poor, oppressed, depressed and the sick.
“It will interest you to know that not many homes in Nigeria can afford to join in today’s celebration of Christmas because of the economic challenges Nigeria is facing today. But I am using this opportunity to task the society to show love to a neighbour who may be in one form of lack or the other.
“Also at this time, I think of all the men and women serving in the military to ensure our safety, who may not be privileged to be with their loved ones. Thank you for your service. As I speak, many of our gallant soldiers are in some trenches in many parts of the country ensuring that the terrorists and gunmen are kept at bay for the rest of us to celebrate the Christmas. I urge all Nigerians, particularly the clerics to put these patriots in their ceaseless prayers,” he said.
Preaching about forgiveness, Abure said there is nothing that would bring more joy to humanity than to be ready and willing to forgive the trespasses of neighbours.
Economic hardship: Many homes can’t celebrate Christmas –Abure